The right leadership can decide one’s fate. Leadership plays a critical role in helping an organization attain great heights, fame, and credibility among stakeholders.

If we study the patterns of failed industries or nations we would be able to observe this in greater detail. The same organization will suffer a downward spiral resulting in its eventual demise if the leadership reflects poor quality.

In any kind of commerce, however small the position of responsibility is, leadership skills are always an added advantage. Employers look for certain qualities, body language, and the mindset of the candidate while recruiting as those qualities are crucial in determining a company’s future.

In each element of Government and Society Society, leadership is rising out as

One of the most important issues of heightened activity and concern. Therefore present-day developments exhibit that organizations are on a quest to recognize the patterns and developments of how brilliant leaders are identified, created, and nurtured. Modern lookup has targeted this trouble and numerous theories have been proposed.

Currently, there are two alternative perspectives on leadership in the area of research and practice.

The market contract

 A responsibility- and ownership-based approach can help us understand leadership. In such a perspective, leaders perceive that they have the authority to execute things in a way that they consider appropriate. Leaders often take this view because they believe “their” job is to get the best outcomes for the organization. Furthermore, they believe that it is crucial for the subordinates to be monitored in order to complete tasks in the organization. A model of leadership presents a picture of leaders having the ability to control resources, positions, and power. A leader feels he/she can deliver the intended results thanks to the power he/she enjoys in the system and the abundance of resources at his/her disposal. In such a climate, others working in the system are forced to sign what is called a “market contract” for their work. A market contract means people only work for what they are paid. If they are not compensated more for additional work, they didn’t feel that it was worth it. An organization cannot perform at its best with this model of leadership.

Psychological Contract

The second approach believes that if leaders believe that the position and the unique position they have obtained and resources provided to them gives them great scope to help others maximize their potential. Such leaders have a strong belief in nurturing leadership talent by creating a platform for them to do so. According to a psychological contract, people respond to calls to action and work beyond their normal capabilities when situations require it.

Leadership qualities from the Bhagavad Gita

There were already figures of work and knowledge in the Bhagavad Gita thousands of years before Frederick W. Taylor and Peter F. Drucker defined those terms.

Looking back at the source, from the birth of civilization we have observed the dynamics and leadership qualities that dominate the growth or demise of kingdoms. In retrospect, if we go through the ancient scriptures and texts we will observe that it holds the seeds of many important leadership lessons that would be highly effective and valuable in modern times as well. Leaders dealing with corporate karma have a way forward in Leadership Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita to overcome self-defeating habits and manage the mind’s negative chatter that often stands in the way of effective leadership.

Knowledge of oneself is imperative to leadership

It goes down even further to our most profound levels of consciousness

• The greatest strength of leaders comes out when they face formidable challenges rather than avoid them
• We must not allow pain or pleasure to weaken the actions of leaders.
• Antagonism and selfish desires obscure leadership’s purpose.
• Compassion and selflessness are qualities that make leaders successful.
• An effective leader does not lead out of anger or fear.
• A leader’s character is essential to their effectiveness.
• Self-awareness and awareness of surroundings are essential for leaders.

Renunciation – leadership’s ultimate challenge

The Bhagavad Gita concludes its eighteenth chapter with an important lesson for effective leadership; this lesson concerns renunciation. Renunciation in the Gita is detaching from the results of actions (tyaga in Sanskrit) and abstaining from selfish acts (sannyasa). As Krishna points out, it is particularly important to practice renunciation in these areas:

• Reject negative thoughts, words, and actions
• Promote equality and denounce inequality
• Embrace selfless service and renounce selfish desires
• Don’t tolerate indiscipline, dishonesty, or a lazy attitude; instead, be diligent, honest, and proactive.
• Do not be arrogant or ignorant, and be open-minded
• Embrace selflessness and reject momentary happiness derived from selfish behaviors. Strive for happiness that lasts and is beneficial to all.

To practice renunciation, one must show compassion for others. A popular leadership concept nowadays is servant leadership. Servant leadership is similar to renunciation in leadership. Leadership renunciation and effective leadership are enabled by service and compassion.

What is deceptive renunciation?

As Krishna explains, not all renunciations are sincere and meaningful. Abstaining from one’s responsibilities is called a deceptive renunciation, he says. Renouncing one’s responsibilities over apprehension and anxiety is not a meaningful renunciation.

Change how you think:

We need positive thoughts in order to develop a realistic perspective, maintain our confidence, overcome negative thoughts, plan well for the challenges we face, and channel our energy to achieve our goals.

You will not allow negative considerations to hijack your mind and destroy your life’s lessons this way. Thankfulness, reflection, rewarding society, and reading motivational writing are a few practices that can help cultivate positive outlooks.

Be flexible:

In any kind of leadership, one must acknowledge that they are not in that position because they are the absolute authority there. It is important to acknowledge and take into consideration the perspective and ideas of the team in order to view the issue from an alternate perspective.

Take home message

Understanding and reading the same texts from a different point of view will give you a wider perspective and show you new ways to become a more effective and prominent leader.